Jennifer CORPUZ

Chair, Indigenous People & Environment

I am Indigenous woman from the Kankanaey Igorot People of Besao, Mountain Province in the Philippines. I am a lawyer by profession, having obtained my Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines, and my Master of Laws degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, USA. As Senior Global Policy and Advocacy Lead of Nia Tero, a US Foundation that supports Indigenous Peoples' self-determination, governance and tenure, I lead the organization's engagement in the CBD, UNFCCC, and other global processes that impact Indigenous Peoples. We work closely with Indigenous partners and let them take the lead in all policy positions we take. I am part of the steering committee of IUCN CEESP, a Senior Lecturer on Indigenous Management of Resources at the University of the Philippines Baguio, and an adviser on policy issues for Tebtebba.